Double-end marking pen

ABSTRACT

A double-end marking pen having a plurality of marking or writing nibs of various sizes made of felt, felt-like or other suitable material, which may be used singularly or in combinations. The ink is fed to the writing nibs by capillary action from a central reservoir in the shaft of the pen. The nibs can be removed and interchanged to suit various kinds of marking. Fitted caps are provided for protecting the ends of the nibs which are actually not being used.

United States Paten Eron et al. [4 1 Aug. 15, 1972 DOUBLE-END MARKING PEN 3,161,904 12/1964 Goldich ..401/23 [72] Inventors: Abbot Eron 180 Surbeck Place,

Haworth, l 07641; Theodore FOREIGN OR APPLICATIONS Eron, 88 Stewart St., Demarest, NJ. 779,560 1/ 1935 France ..401/202 07627 1,027,095 2/ 1953 France ..401/202 [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1970 385,444 12/1923 Germany ..401/202 [21] Appl. No.: 78,030 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-Sparrow and Sparrow 52 US. Cl. ..401 207 401 198, 401 202, 1 I 46 7] ABSTRACT [51 1 Int. Cl. ..B43k 5/00 A doub1e end marking pen having a plurality f mark- Fleld of Search or nibs of various sizes made of felt felt- 401/199, 16, 23, 24, 2 38, 202, 31 like or other suitable material, which may be used singularly or in combinations. The ink is fed to the writ- [56] References (med ing nibs by capillary'action from a central reservoir in UNITED STATES PATENTS the shaft of the pen. The nibs ca.n be remoYed interchanged to suit various kinds of marking. Fitted 1,523,904 1/1925 Sato ..401/36 caps are provided for protecting the ends of the nibs 1,623,509 4/1927 vlvaudou ..401 31 which are actually not being used 2,453,201 11/1948 Cushman ..401/207 3,003,182 10/ 1961 Rosenthal ..401/207 14 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMIB15I9TZ I 3.684.389

SHEET 1 UF 2 .54 35 35 if FlG.8a 13m INVENTORS.

FIG. 6 .F/G. 7 F/6.8

PATENTED AUG 15 I972 sum 2 ur 2 INVENTORS 45807 590 BY 195000,?! [Pa/ DOUBLE-END MARKING PEN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to writing or marking devices, and particularly to devices of this kind which have ink-fed marking or writing nibs of various sizes for lettering and/or decorative purposes.

Fountain pens with marking nibs made of felt are know in the art field which have but one size of nib and which have only a nib at one end of the holder or shaft which generally serves as the ink reservoir. Thus, for

art work or for a variety of markings, wherein more than one size of line work or the filling-in of large areas are required, more than one complete marking pen is needed having marking nibs of various shapes and sizes. Most known writing or markingdevices have no facilities for interchanging nibs, and none of them has become known in which the interchanging can be done without soiling the fingers of the user, and in which the interchanging can be accomplished from one size of nib to another without interruption of the work; or in which combinations of nibs can be readily used except by taking the pen apart. Modern art work and styling requires, however, a greater variety of graphic expressions, and it is the intention of this invention to present a practical solution of this problem.

SUMMARY The invention consists of such novel features, construction arrangements, combinations of parts and improvements as may be shown and described in connection with the device herein disclosed by way of example only and as illustrative of a preferred embodiment. The structure of the device of this invention is such as to have a handy device for the artist, which has a plurality of writing tools combined in one unit, so that the user can do a fairly wide selection of graphic work by merely switching from one size of tip or quill to another which is contained in the tool ready for use. In other words, there is a tip or nib for a single line, another for heavier, wider line, and a further nib for filling-in a whole area which may have rounded corners or the like configurations. Only one end of a conventional pen or quill is used for writing; but both ends of the pen in this invention are actively used by having at least two different nibs therein. It is known that the end of the pen which is actually not in use, would smear the hand of the user, if the pen tip would not be protected. The invention comprises such means for protecting the hand of the user as well as for protecting the nib from being damaged or deformed. It is further a special feature of the device of the invention that each one of the nibs can readily be removed and replaced with a new one, or that special combinations of nibs can be set for a special kind of work. Yet the felt nibs are well secured in the pen and are prevented from becoming loose.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned by practicing the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

It is an object of the invention to provide a writing device for line and art work which comprises a plurality of tips or nibs of various widths.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a double-end pen with marking nibs of various sizes on both ends of the former, with one end holding thick nibs and the opposite end holding thin nibs, in which nibs of different sizes can be projected outwardly for making combinations of various line and design work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double-end pen in which marking nibs can be easily exchanged.

Furthermore it is an object of the invention to provide for closely molded caps on either end of the pen, which can be placed on one another when one of the ends of the pen is in use so that the end which is actually not in use, is protected.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel writing device with marking nibs on both ends, which is of a simple structure and can be easily and economically produced.

Various further and more specific purposes, features and advantages will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and illustrates merely by way of examples embodiments of the device of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but such names are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit. Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows an axial section of a double-end marking nib pen with protective caps shown in a lifted position;

FIG. 2 shows an axial section of another double-end marking nib pen with a plurality of nibs of various sizes, and with protective caps shown in superimposed position;

FIG. 3 is an axial section of one end of the pen shown in FIG. 1, partly broken away, in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a marking nib with two different writing faces, shown in isometric projection;

FIG. 5 illustrates schematically the anchoring of the nib in the nib holder, partly broken away;

FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 8a show various combinations of individual nibs (broken away);

FIG. 9 shows an axial section of the upper part of the pen shown in FIG. 2, in an enlarged scale, partly broken away;

FIG. 10 is a radial section of the upper part of the pen shown in FIG. 9, taken along the line 10-10;

FIG. 11 shows an axial section of the lower part of the pen shown in FIG. 2, in an enlarged scale, partly broken away;

FIG. 12 is a radial section of the lower part of the pen shown in FIG. 11, taken along the line 12-12;

FIG. 13 is a detail part of a nib holder in FIG. 12, shown in a larger scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in more detail to the drawings illustrating preferred embodiments by which the invention may be realized, there is in FIG. 1 a double-end pen or marking implement 20 which consists of a tube-like body 21, open at both ends for receiving the marking or writing nibs. Body 21 serves also as the container for an ink-saturated insert 22 made of felt or other ink-absorbing material. Both ends of body 21 have a reduced diameter for accommodating the nib holder parts 23 into which nibs 24, 25 are fitted. Nib holder parts 23 have a flange-like upper end 26 which is seated on the open ends of body 21. Nib holder parts 23 have stamped-out triangularly shaped openings 27 into which arrowhead shaped protrusions 28 of the inside of the body ends of body 21 fit (see FIGS. 3 and When the pen is used, holders 23 with marking nibs 24, 25 are firmly held in place by protrusions 28 anchoring themselves in openings 27. However, it is easy to grip firmly flange-like upper end 26 and to pull holder 23 with nib 24 (or 25) out for replacing the latter with a new one. The marking nibs are made of felt, felt-like material, nylon or other suitable material.

Nib 24 has a special shape, having one straight edge 29 and one round edge 30, the latter facilitating the filling-in of larger rounded areas, particularly in a case of artistic, decorative lettering. Nib 25 has a typical, pointed shape for line work. Two protective caps 31, 32 for the marking nibs 24, 25, respectively, are provided. Cap 31 is molded in such manner that the inner contour conforms to the shape of nib 24, while cap 32 has the interior shape of nib 25. Both caps are further molded in such shape that one may be put on top of the other. This is a convenient and practical feature, because the user can take the cap off the end which he wants to use, and can place it on top of the cap of the closed end, thus lessening the risk of losing the cap.

By replacing nib 24 with three nibs 33, 34, 35 which may be made axially movable, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, combinations and variations for attaining certain artistic effects in a simplified operation may be made, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In a similar manner, nib 25 may be replaced with two or three pointed nibs 36, 37 and 38, 39, 40, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12 respectively. By using combinations of these nibs, it is feasible 'to draw parallel double lines in one stroke.

An important innovation of the double-end pen is the variety of uses to which the different headed felt tips or nibs can be put. These nibs may be used singly or in pairs of different combinations, which can be ejected at either end of the pen. FIG. 6 shows all of the nibs ejected when nibs 33 and 34 are both projected an extra large broad surface is provided to facilitate filling in of larger areas. FIG. 7 shows the projection of nib 33 for a broad flat stroke, and because nib 35 is depressed and at one end of the combination of nibs, it may be used in this position for rounded areas and in quick indicated lettering, due to the rounded tip portion of nib 35. Nib 35 with rounded tip portion should be used when both nibs 33 and 34 are retracted. FIG. 8A illustrates this position. FIG. 8 shows nib 34 withdrawn or retracted with nibs 33 and 35 having their tips or upper edges in alignment, for producing a double stroke or line. It can be readily seen that other combinations of the nibs can be effected.

The preferred mechanism for these retractable, multiple nibs is shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12. Nibs 33, 34, 35 are attached to nib holders 41, 42 43, respectively (FIG. 10), which are axially slidable on stationary, grooved bars 44, 45, 46. Projection slide buttons 47, 48, 49 are arranged for sliding in grooved bars 44, 45, 46 and are attached to nibs 33, 34, 35 by screws 50, 51, 52. Thus,'each one of nibs 33, 34, 35 can be axially moved from an operative to an inoperative position, independent from one another. Breathing vents 53 are provided in the wall of tube body 21 for facilitating the capillary action of feeding ink from ink-saturated insert 22 to nibs 33, 34, 35. FIGS. ll, 12, 13 illustrate the corresponding structure for pointed nibs 38, 39, 40, with nib holders 54, 55, 56, grooved, stationary bars 57, 58, 59 slide buttons 60, 61, 62, nib screws 63 and breathing vent slots 64. The arrangement of slidable pointed nibs 3, 39, 40 as shown in FIG. 12 enables the user to draw parallel double lines with three different spaces between the lines. It is obvious that a single line may be also drawn, for example, for writing any kind of script.

It is apparent that the marking nibs can be removed for replacement by finnly gripping the nib holders at grip portions 26 and firmly withdrawing them from the shoulders. Referring to FIG. 10, for example, each of the buttons 47, 48, 49, comprises two parts one of which (47a, 48a, 49a) is removable and the other (44, 45, 46) which is a fixed, notched tongue-in-groove element along with the projection buttons slide from projection position to retraction position.

Both elements (44,45,46) and (41,42,43) are notched to enable screw (50,51,52) to slide from one position to the other. To remove and interchange nibs, screw (50,51,52) is unloosened by turning the projection button (47,48,49), and removing screw (50,51,52) and part (47a,48a,'49a) from tongue-in-groove (44,45,46) at whichever nib it is desired to replace. Thus freed, the felt tip or nib is gripped firmly at 26and withdrawn from the shoulder, as heretofore described.

It is apparent that the writing tip portions of the nibs may have any desired configurations; for example, pointed, flat, angular, slanted, rounded, corrugatedsurfaced, etc., so that the nibs may be used to obtain various combinations and variations for attaining certain straight or multiple line and artistic effects.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain preferred examples which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the principle of the invention, that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A double-end marking pen comprising a tube-like body, an ink-absorbing insert in said body, a removable, inserted nib holder in at least one end of said body, at least one interchangeable marking nib in said holder, said nib holder having substantially triangularly shaped openings, said body having triangularly shaped protuberances extending within said openings, said protuberances disposed for anchoring said nib holder in said body.

2. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1,

whereinthere is a removably inserted nib holder in stantially conforming to the external upper portion of said nib.

4. A double-end marking pen according to claim 2 and a removable cap for each of saidnibs, said cap having an internal contour substantially conforming to the external upper portion of its corresponding nib.

5. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said cap being made of molded material.

6. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said nib having a straight edge tip portion and an arcuate edge tip portion.

7. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said nib having a pointed tip.

8. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, wherein said marking nib comprises a plurality of individual sections, and means for each of said sections for axially moving the sections individually with relation to each.

9. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, at least one of said sections having a substantially rounded tip portion.

10. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, one of said sections having a rounded tip portion and another of said sections having a substantially rectan gular tip portion,

11. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, at least one of said nibs having a flat slanted tip.

12. A double-end pen comprising a hollow body, an ink-absorbing insert in said body, nib holder means at each end portion of said body, nibs in each of said holder means, separate means" for projecting 'and retracting said nibs independently, said holder means having substantially trangularly shaped openings and substantially triangularly shaped protuberances on the 

1. A double-end marking pen comprising a tube-like body, an inkabsorbing insert in said body, a removable, inserted nib holder in at least one end of said body, at least one interchangeable marking nib in said holder, said nib holder having substantially triangularly shaped openings, said body having triangularly shaped protuberances extending within said openings, said protuberances disposed for anchoring said nib holder in said body.
 2. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, wherein there is a removably inserted nib holder in each end of said body.
 3. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1 and a removable cap having an internal contour substantially conforming to the external upper portion of said nib.
 4. A double-end marking pen according to claim 2, and a removable cap for each of said nibs, said cap having an internal contour substantially conforming to the external upper portion of its corresponding nib.
 5. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said cap being made of molded material.
 6. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said nib having a straight edge tip portion and an arcuate edge tip portion.
 7. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, said nib having a pointed tip.
 8. A double-end marking pen according to claim 1, wherein said marking nib comprises a plurality of individual sections, and means for each of said sections for axially moving the sections individually with relation to each.
 9. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, at least one of said sections having a substantially rounded tip portion.
 10. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, one of said sections having a rounded tip portion and another of said sections having a substantially rectangular tip portion.
 11. A double-end marking pen according to claim 8, at least one of said nibs having a flat slanted tip.
 12. A double-end pen comprising a hollow body, an ink-absorbing insert in said body, nib holder means at each end portion of said body, nibs in each of said holder means, separate means for projecting and retracting said nibs independently, said holder means having substantially trangularly shaped openings and substantially triangularly shaped protuberances on the inside of said body, said protuberances extending within said openings, said protuberances disposed for anchoring said holder means in said body.
 13. A double-end pen according to claim 12, and vents axially disposed in said body substantIally parallel to said nibs.
 14. A double-end pen according to claim 13, and said separate means for projecting and retracting said nibs comprising a slide button having means connecting said button to said nib, said button disposed for axially moving said nib from an inoperative retracted position to an operative projected position. 